Overdue.

 

its not an interference engine, so you wont bend valves if it were to break, but a 13 year old T-belt can't be trusted to last much longer, regardless of milage

 

If you are the unlucky one rarely the belt snaps and then ends up in crank, it can get pretty ugly then. They usually shed teeth though and then all the rookies think cams still turning mean it's OK.

 

it should get changed every 100000 miles so you still have a lot left

 

???????

Some of that new euro math, eh?

 

Subtract 100,000 from the 136,000 means he's only got 36,000 on the belt. Simons math is flawless.

In crazyland.

 

HeHe

Assuming it's been replaced....

Official is about 120, 130 - but with age not all reach that number.

100,000 works for safety in most cases (zetec) and is easy to remember, borrowed time over that if you don't know when it was done already.

 

Yeah, the big if there, the number is 120K. Per Gates who makes the belt, as least the good one. Obvious the OP has not changed it so again I have to ask the math question.......WACK

 

Dry sense of humor I see.

 

Its overdue and should be replaced as soon as possible but if you can't do so right now, you've got till 150 if you drive the car well and all maintenance is taken care of.

 

As it has been driven for 136k miles, and assuming the belt has already been changed at 100k miles, so it has 66k miles left before it needs to get changed.
Notreal.. get some math lessons

 

Curious where you get the 100K from? And the assumption is ALWAYS that they have NOT changed it, as it is by far the norm...........................the company that makes the belt says 120K, they would know if anyone. The number doubled up from the previous recommendation of 60K before Hypalon went into the belt.

Look at SVTs, that one bends every valve in it when it breaks/strips belt but they still don't change the belt on time. As a mechanic in past life you learn to expect things to NOT be done and far better guesses doing so. It's called banking on basic human nature.

 

This is where I get the info for when a timing belt needs to be replaced, 100,000 miles or 120 months, which ever comes first.
http://www.mytimingbelt.com/Results.aspx?ModelId=221

And yes its true, you can't be sure if the previous owner has changed the belt and need to be sure of that.

 

Would have to agree with amc49, never assume that scheduled service work is done. After 22 years as a service manager you'll find most people put off timing belt replacement because of the cost......we see them when it breaks.

Also, if memory serves....the 2.0L Zetec IS an interference motor, so damage will occur when it breaks.

 

Actually seems to be only on foreign models with different piston tops. One guy posted here from Australia IIRC and got lambasted about how it doesn't happen but then he picced the piston tops and no reliefs like we have here, the pistons were different to strike. Here with the trench they don't hit. He unluckily bent nearly every valve in his.

 

mine just hit 120 and I don't know if I want to replace it. I'm planning to sell the car and right now it needs a new CAT so I'm thinking about letting the next guy deal with it.

 

I believe there is a huge difference between US and european motor models also among the japanese cars, I have heard from several guys in UK that 100k miles is the time when the belt should get replaced.

racerguy, I believe its only duratec which is interference, and zetec is not, but nevertheless if someone wants to keep the car, its best to replace the belt, I have had mine expeiences with a broken belt, and I know its gonna cost alot more than the replacement cost.

 

The SVT configuration of the Zetec motor is also interference.

 

Yes it is, you risk great damage not changing early there.

AND there is certainly nothing wrong with changing grocery getter zetec at 100K, just that the belt maker here says 120K.

 

Another vote (from a respected belt manufacturer) for 100k miles/120 months:-

http://aam-europe.contitech.de/pages/downloads/docs/Poster-Wechselintervalle-Meilen_en.pdf

It's a gamble to assume that a previous owner has replaced the belt at 100k miles (or 120k miles). Whether dealing with an interference engine or not, do you really want to add to the cost of replacement the cost of a tow to an unknown garage where they might take advantage of you because you're dragged in on the end of a chain? I'd rather do it in the convenience of my own driveway (or garage) or by my own trusted mechanic.

 

And wise to change them early if anything, beats the daylights out of the alternative. We won't pretty much be finding that line of belt here though I'm afraid unless close to the northern border.

 

tbelt replacement

90k miles or 10 years after, or if it was removed during repair per workshop manual p 303-01a-11